System and method for minimizing driver distraction of a head-up display (HUD) in a vehicle

Abstract

A method and vehicle system for reducing driver distractions caused by a head-up display (HUD). The HUD projects one or more graphic elements onto a windshield in view of a driver of the vehicle. The vehicle system determines a content status of the one or more projected graphic elements. The vehicle system detects one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle. The vehicle system determines whether the content status of the one or more projected graphic elements satisfies a driver distraction criterion. The vehicle then notifies the driver of the one or more detected objects when the content status of the one or more projected graphic element satisfies the driver distraction criterion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing driver distraction, the method comprising:
 projecting, by a head-up display (HUD), a plurality of graphic elements onto a windshield in view of a driver of the vehicle; 
 determining a content status of the plurality of projected graphic elements, wherein the determining the content status comprises at least one of determining a level of contrast for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, determining a degree of animation for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, or determining a size of each of the plurality of projected graphic elements; 
 detecting one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle; and 
 notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects when the content status of the plurality of projected graphic elements satisfies a distraction criterion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects, further comprises:
 notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects when at least one of the level of contrast, the degree of animation, or the size of the plurality of projected graphic elements exceeds a threshold. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects, further comprises:
 projecting one or more additional graphic elements relating to the one or more detected objects onto the windshield in view of the driver. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects, further comprises:
 outputting a signal indicating a presence of the one or more detected objects. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of projected graphic elements include a visual representation of one or more of a navigation instruction, a notification from a mobile device, or information from a dashboard of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more detected objects include one or more of a pedestrian, a traffic light, a stop sign, or another vehicle. 
 
     
     
       7. A vehicle system for reducing driver distraction, the vehicle system comprising:
 a head-up display (HUD) for projecting one or more graphic elements onto a windshield in view of a driver of the vehicle; 
 at least one sensor for detecting one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle; 
 a memory for storing instructions; and 
 a processor communicatively coupled to the HUD, the at least one sensor, and the memory, wherein the processor executes the instructions to:
 determine a content status of the plurality of graphic elements projected by the HUD, wherein the determining the content status comprises at least one of determining a level of contrast for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, determining a degree of animation for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, or determining a size of each of the plurality of projected graphic elements; and 
 notify the driver of the one or more objects detected by the at least one sensor when the content status of the plurality of projected graphic elements satisfies a distraction criterion. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The vehicle system of  claim 7 , wherein to notify the driver of the one or more detected objects, the processor further executes the instructions to:
 notify the driver of the one or more detected objects when at least one of the level of contrast, the degree of animation, or the size of the plurality of projected graphic elements exceeds a threshold. 
 
     
     
       9. The vehicle system of  claim 7 , wherein to notify the driver of the one or more detected objects, the processor further executes the instructions to:
 project, via the HUD, one or more additional graphic elements relating to the one or more detected objects onto the windshield in view of the driver. 
 
     
     
       10. The vehicle system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a speaker communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein, to notify the driver of the one or more detected objects, the processor further executes the instructions to:
 output, via the speaker, a signal indicating a presence of the one or more detected objects. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The vehicle system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the one or more graphic elements include a visual representation of one or more of a navigation instruction, a notification from a mobile device, or information from a dashboard of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       12. The vehicle system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the one or more detected objects include one or more of a pedestrian, a traffic light, a stop sign, or another vehicle. 
 
     
     
       13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:
 code for projecting one or more graphic elements onto a windshield in view of a driver of the vehicle; 
 code for determining a content status of the plurality of projected graphic elements, wherein the determining the content status comprises at least one of determining a level of contrast for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, determining a degree of animation for each of the plurality of projected graphic elements, or determining a size of each of the plurality of projected graphic elements; 
 code for detecting one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle; and 
 code for notifying the driver of the one or more detected objects when the content status of the plurality of projected graphic elements satisfies a distraction criterion.